VVS Laxman, currently heading the Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to take on a new role as the board's Director of Cricket, according to sources cited by NDTV.
Laxman is expected to continue his responsibilities at the CoE, but the new position will give him a wider and more structured role within Indian cricket. His contract is also set to be extended by two years.
Laxman's role to cover entire cricket pathway
The new designation, which did not exist previously, is expected to connect different levels of Indian cricket under a common structure.
Laxman has already been involved in overseeing India's junior teams, player rehabilitation and pathways for both men's and women's cricket at the CoE. Under the revised role, he will also be responsible for staff appointments.
The position will bring together the senior coaching setup, selectors, the CoE and youth pathways, with the aim of creating a more coordinated approach to talent identification and player development.
For Laxman, the expanded role builds on his existing work at the CoE, where he has been closely involved with players at different stages of their careers.
What it means for Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar
The development comes at a time when questions have been raised over the future of national selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Agarkar's tenure as chairman of the selection committee is set to end in September. His tenure has faced scrutiny in recent months, particularly over decisions surrounding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future in India's ODI setup.
Gambhir's position has also been discussed in the context of India's Test performances and their standing in the World Test Championship. The upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka could have a bearing on his future in red-ball cricket.
Laxman set for wider authority
According to the sources cited by NDTV, the revised structure would effectively place Laxman above Gambhir and Agarkar in the cricketing hierarchy.
However, the change is not expected to immediately affect either of their positions. Both Gambhir and Agarkar are set to continue in their respective roles until the 2027 World Cup, according to the report.
The appointment would therefore give Laxman a broader administrative and cricket-development mandate while Gambhir and Agarkar continue handling their existing responsibilities.